Electronic channel address remote control system

ABSTRACT

An electronic channel address system for a signal receiver employing a varactor tuner wherein remote and manual signal channel selections are electronically effected and changes in manual channel selection are detected and automatically tracked by the remote system and remote operation is initiated at the last signal channel selected by the manual signal channel selector.

United States Patent Funston ELECTRONIC CHANNEL ADDRESS REMOTE CONTROL SYSTEM David Lee Funston, Batavia, NY.

GTE Sylvania Incorporated, Stamford, Conn.

Filed: May 17, 1974 Appl. No.: 471,040

Inventor:

Assignee:

US. Cl. 334/9; 325/392; 334/15 Int. Cl. HOSJ 1/06 Field of Search 334/8-10, 15; 325/390, 392, 393; 307/140; 340/147 C References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 7/1973 Konopka 334/15 51 Aug. 12, 1975 LeFevre Arrington et a1, 334/8 Primary Examiner-Alfred E. Smith Assistant Examinerwm. H. Punter Attorney, Agent. or Firm-Norman J O'Malley; Thomas H. Buffton; Cyril A. Krenzer [57] ABSTRACT 7 Claims, 1 Drawing Figure 1 2s l1 I 5'' I J 51 1 1- l5 r J 1 l L J J 2 F" 1 73 19 l REMOTE TRANSIMTTER A ELECTRONIC CHANNEL ADDRESS REMOTE CONTROL SYSTEM CROSS REFERENCE TO OTHER APPLICATIONS A patent entitled Remote-Manual Switching System", bearing U.S. Pat. No. 3,806,843, filed in the name of William Lee Arrington et al. and assigned to the assignee of the present application relates to a remote-manual tuning system employing a plurality of potential sources and banks of switches for effecting operation of a varactor tuner. Another patent entitled Control Circuitry For Remote Tuning System, bearing U.S. Pat. No. 3,80] ,897, filed in the name of Paul Eshelman LeFevre and assigned to the assignee of the present application relates to a remote-manual switching system having circuitry for switching directional rotation of a rotary switching intermediate switch contact members. Another Patent entitled Remote-Manual Over-Ride System", bearing U.S. Pat. No. 3,796,938 in the name of the inventor of the present application and assigned to the assignee of the present application relates to circuitry for over-ride of selected signal channels by a remote control system. Still another copending application entitled Signal Channel Address System, bearing U.S. Ser. No. 445,796, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,859,610 and filed in the name of Dong Woo Rhee, relates to an electronic channel address system utilizing neon lamps.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The prior art suggests channel address systems which are mechanical in nature. Therein, a slack-wire" or cable system is employed for de-activating all signal channels except a desired signal channel. Moreover, the above-mentioned slack-wire or cable is frequently coupled to a switch for enablement of either manual or remote operation.

Although the above-mentioned mechanical signal channel selection technique does have practical application in some receivers employing varactor-type tuners, it has been found that problems do arise with a slack-wire system. Specifically, it has been found that component characteristics and mechanical tolerances are particularly critical for a manufacturing process. Thus, apparatus, of this nature does leave something to be desired in some applications.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an improved electronic channel address system for a signal receiver. Another object of the invention is to enhance the tracking of manual signal channel selections by a remote signal channel selection means. Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved electronic channel address system utilizing minimal in expensive and non-critical components thereby enhancing construction costs.

These and other and further objects, advantages, and capabilities are achieved in one aspect of the invention by an electronic channel address system wherein a remote-manual switching is coupled to a manual and to a remote signal channel selection means with a tracking means responsive to changes in the manual signal chan' nel selection means for effecting corresponding changes in the remote signal channel selection means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The sole FIGURE is a schematic illustration of a preferred embodiment of an electronic channel address system.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT For a better understanding of the present invention,

0 together with other and further objects, advantages and capabilities thereof, reference is made to the following disclosure in conjunction with the accompanying drawing.

Referring to the drawing, an electronic channel address system for a signal receiver includes a remotemanual switching means 5 coupled to a potential source 8+ and to a manual signal channel selector means 7. A remote signal channel selector means 9 is coupled to the remote-manual switching means 5 and to the manual signal channel selector means 7. Moreover, a tracking means 11 is coupled to the remotemanual switching means 5, the manual signal channel selector means 7, and the remote signal channel selector means 9.

Generally, the remote-manual switching means 5 is in an unenergized condition and activation of the manual signal channel selector means 7 serves to manually select a given signal channel. When a given signal channel is selected by the manual signal channel selector means 7, a signal is applied to the remote signal channel selector means 9, by way of the remote-manual switching means 5 and also to the tracking means 11. Thereupon, the remote signal channel selector means 9 is altered until the manually selected signal channel positional location is reached. Moreover, the remote signal channel selector means 9 is operable by a remote signal transmitter in a well known manner.

More specifically, the remote-manual switching means 5 includes a relay switch 13 having a manual positional location or terminal 1 and a remote positional location or terminal 2. The relay switch 13 is coupled by a resistor 15 to a potential source B+. The potential source 8+ is coupled by a resistor 17 to a zener diode 19 connected to circuit ground and to a resistor 21 coupled directly and via a capacitor 23 to the manual signal channel selector means 7. Also, the manual terminal 1 is connected to the manual signal channel selector means 7 and to the tracking means 11 while the remote terminal 2 of the relay switch 13 is coupled to the tracking means 11.

Associated with and integral to the relay switch 13 is an energizing coil 25 connected to a bi-stable flip-flop circuit or memory means 27. The bi-stable flip-flop circuit 27 includes first and second transistors 29 and 31 respectively. The first transistor 29 has an emitter connected by a diode 33 to circuit ground. The collector of the transistor 29 is connected by a resistor 35 to a potential source 13+ and by a series connected resistor 37 and capacitor 39 in shunt with a resistor 41 to the base of the transistor 31. The junction of the series connected resistor 37 and capacitor 39 is connected by a diode 43 to a parallel coupled capacitor 45 and resistor 47 connected to circuit ground and to a capacitor 49 coupled to the manual signal channel selector means 7.

The second transistor 31 of the bi-stable flip-flop circuit 27 has an emitter coupled to the base of a transistor 51. The transistor 51 has a grounded emitter and a collector connected to the energizing coil of the relay switch 13. The collector of the transistor 31 is connected by a resistor 53 to the potential source 8+ and by a series connected resistor 55 and capacitor 57 shunted by a resistor 59 to the base of the first transistor 29. The junction of the series connected resistor 55 and capacitor 57 is connected to the remote signal channel selector means 9 while a diode 61 coupled the collector of the second transistor 31 to the remote signal channel selector means 9. Moreover, a gate means 56 includes a transistor 58 having a collector coupled to the base of the second transistor 31, a grounded emitter. and a base coupled to ground by a resistor 60 and to the diode 61 by a resistor 62.

The manual signal channel selector means 7 includes a diode 63 coupled to the manual terminal 1 of the relay switch 13 in the remote-manual switching means 5. Connected to the diode 63 is a plurality of parallelcoupled signal channel means 65 (ones shown). Each of the parallel-coupled signal channel means 65 includes a diode 67 connected to the potential source B+ via the series connected diode 63, relay switch 13, and resistor 15 and to circuit ground via a series connected neon lamp 69 and resistor 71. A manual channel selection switch 73 couples the junction of each one of the diodes 67 and neon lamps 69 to the potential source B+. A transistor 75 has a ground emitter, a base connected to the junction of the neon lamp 69 and resistor 71, and a collector coupled by an adjustable resistor 77 to a potential source B+. Also, the collector is connected to band switching circuitry while the adjustable resistor 77 is coupled to a varactor tuner (not shown).

The remote signal channel selector means 9 includes a rotary switch 79 having a plurality of contacts 81 wherein each one of the contacts 81 is connected to the junction of the diode 67, neon lamp 69, and manual channel selector switch 73 of each one of the parallelcoupled signal channel means 65. The rotary switch 79 has a rotatable arm 83 which is mechanically coupled to an electric motor means 85. The motor means 85 is connected to a motor relay means 87 which is, in turn, connected to the bi-stable flip-flop circuit 27, a relay driver means 89, and a motor control circuit 91.

The relay driver means 89 is responsive to signals received from a remote signal transmitter means 93. The motor control circuit 91 includes a transistor 95 having grounded emitter and a collector coupled to the motor relay means 87, via a resistor 97 to a potential source B+, and by way of a resistor 99 to the diode 61 and resistor 62 of the bi-stable flip-flop circuit means 27 The base of the transistor 95 is connected to circuit ground by a resistor 101 and by a series connected resistor 102, diode 105, and resistor 107 to the tracking means 11. A resistor 109 couples the junction of the series connected diode and resistor 107 to circuit ground while a resistor 1 11 connects the junction of the series co nected resistor 103 and diode 105 to the potential source. Moreover, the adjustable arm 83 of the rotary switch 79 is electrically coupled to the tracking means 1 l.

The tracking means 11 has a transistor 113 with an emitter coupled by a series connected resistor 115 and diode 117 to the manual positional terminal 1 of the relay switch 13 in the remote-manual switching means 5. The base of the transistor 113 is coupled by a diode 119 to the remote positional terminal 2 of the relay switch 13. The collector of the transistor 1 13 is coupled by a capacitor 121 to the base and by a diode 123 to the resistor 107 of the motor control circuit 91 in the remote signal channel selector means 9. The diode 123 is also coupled by a resistor 125 to the remote positional terminal 2 of the remote-manual switching means 5. Also, the junction of the diode 119, capacitor 121, and base of transistor 113 is connected to the rotatable arm 83 of the rotary switch 79.

As to operation, it may be assumed that the relay switch 13 of the remote-manual switching means 5 is in the manual positional location 1 with the energizing coil 25 unactivated for manual operation. Thereupon, manual activation of a manual channel selector switch 73 causes application of a potential from the potential source 15+ to the neon lamp 69. The neon lamp 69 is fired causing appearance of a negative pulse potential at the junction of the series connected diodes 63 and 67. As a result, the remaining parallel-coupled signal channels 65 are de-activated and electronic switching of the signal channels is effected as fully disclosed and discussed in the previously-mentioned co-pending application bearing U.S. Ser. No. 445,796.

The negative pulse potential appearing at the junction of the diodes 63 and 67 is coupled via the capacitor 49, diode 43, and capacitor 39 to the base of the second transistor 31 of the bi-stable flip-flop circuit 27. The negative pulse potential turns off the transistors 31 and 51 whereupon there is no energy in the energizing coil 25 of the relay switch 13.

As to tracking, non-alignment of the rotatable arm 83 of the rotary switch 79 with the signal channel means 65 and neon lamp 69 which is conductive inhibits current flow in the base circuit of the transistor 113 of the tracking means 11. With no current flow in the transistor 113, the transistor 95 of the motor control circuit 91 will be biased off or non-conductive due to the forward bias potential applied to the diode 105. Thereupon, the motor relay 87 and motor means 85 will cause movement of the rotatable arm 83 of the rotary switch 79 until the positional location of the energized or conductive signal channel means 65 is attained. Thereupon, base current is available at the transistor 113 of the tracking means 11, the transistor 95 of the motor control circuit 91 is rendered conductive, and the motor means 85 no longer activates the rotatable arm 83.

As to remote operation, a signal from the remote transmitter means 93 causes activation of the relay driver means 89 which energizes the motor relay means 87. In turn, the motor relay means 87 provides a potential which causes conduction of the second transistor 31 of the bi-stable flip-flop circuit 27. Conduction of the second transistor 31 causes saturation conduction of the transistor 51 whereupon the relay switch 13 is energized and the remote positional location 2 is connected.

At the same time, the energization of the motor relay means 87 causes activation of the motor means 85. The motor means 85 mechanically alters the rotatable arm 83 of the rotary switch 79 until alignment with the selected signal channel is effected. Thereupon, the user de-activates remote transmitter 93, motor drive 89 is out of conduction, motor relay 87 is deactivated, and the motor 85 stops.

Additionally, the tracking function and the remote signal channel selection function tend to cause application of a potential to the bi-stable flip-flop circuit means 27. Then, the second transistor 3] would change its state and become non-conductive. Thereupon, the transistor 51 would be rendered conductive and energization of the energizing coil 25 of the relay switch 13 would be undesirably effected.

However, the gate means 56, in the form of transistor 58, is added to the circuitry and biased into conduction by way of the resistor 99, resistor 62, and resistor 60 during manual mode tracking. Therefore, the transistor 31 and transistor 51 are non-conductive and the relay switch 13 remains at the manual positional location 1. During remote operation, the transistors 31 and 51 are in a saturated conductive condition and the diode 61 prevents the gate means 56 from effecting operation of the bi-stable flip-flop circuit 27.

Thus, there has been provided a unique electronic channel address system suitable for a signal receiver employing varactor tuners. The system provides enhanced manual and remote signal channel with a minimum of mechanical linkage and a maximum of electronic operation. Moreover, manual signal channel selection is accompanied by tracking of the remote signal channel selection apparatus whereby confusion of a viewer as to signal channel selection is minimized.

While there has been shown and described what is at present considered the preferred embodiment of the invention it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the invention as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

I. In a signal receiver having a potential source, a varactor tuner, and a remote signal channel selecting means, an electronic channel address system comprising:

means coupled to said potential source for remotemanual switching, said means including a switching relay means coupled to a memory circuit;

means coupled to said means for remote-manual switching and to said varactor tuner for manual signal channel selection;

means coupled to said means for remote-manual switching and said means for manual signal channel selection for remote signal channel selection, said means including control circuitry coupled to a motor means mechanically connected to a rotary switching means and motor drive means coupled to said motor and responsive to said remote signal channel selecting means; and

means coupled to said control circuitry and rotary switching means of said means for remote signal channel selection, to said means for manual signal channel selection, and to said means for remotemanual switching for effecting tracking of manual signal channel selection by said means for remote signal channel selection, said tracking means altering said control circuitry and rotary switching means in response to manual signal channel selection to provide alignment of said rotary switching means with said manually selected signal channel and a path for current flow therethrough.

2. The electronic channel address system of claim 1 wherein said memory circuit of said means for remotemanual switching includes a bi-stable flip-flop circuit switching means coupled to said means for manual signal channel selection, to said control circuitry of said means for remote signal channel selection, and to a switching relay means of said means for remote-manual switching.

3. The electronic channel address system of claim 2 including a gate means coupled to said control circuit of said means for remote signal channel selection and to said bi-stable switching means to effect activation of said means for remote-manual switching in accordance with signal received from said means for remote signal selection means.

4. The electronic channel address system of claim 1 wherein said means for tracking manual signal channel selection by said means for remote signal channel selection includes a transistor having one input electrode coupled by a diode to said means for remote-manual switching, another input electrode coupled to said rotary switching means and by a diode to said means for remote-manual switching, and an output electrode coupled by a diode to said control circuit of said means for remote signal channel selection.

5. An electronic channel address system for a signal receiver having a potential source, varactor tuner, and a remote signal channel selection comprising:

remote-manual switching means including a switching relay means selectively coupled to said potential source and to a memory circuit;

manual electronic signal channel selection means coupled to said varactor tuner and to said remotemanual switching means, said means including a plurality of parallel coupled signal channel indicating and selecting means;

remote signal channel selector means including a control circuit coupled to a motor means mechanically coupled to a rotary switching means coupled to said manual signal channel selector means and said remote-manual switching means and a motor drive means coupled to said motor means and responsive to said remote signal channel selecting means; and

tracking means coupled to said manual signal channel selection means, said rotary switching means and control circuit of said remote signal channel selector means, and to said remote-manual switching means, said tracking means responding to said manual signal channel selector means to alter said control circuit and rotary switching means to provide alignment of and a current path through said rotary switching means and said manual signal channel selector means whereby said remote signal channel selector means is altered in accordance with alterations of said manual signal channel selection means.

6. The electronic channel address system of claim 5 wherein said memory circuit of said remote-manual switching means includes a bi'stable flip-flop switching means coupled to said manual signal channel selection means and said remote signal channel selection means for effecting activation of said remote-manual switching means in accordance with signals from said manual and remote signal channel selection means.

7. The electronic channel address system of claim 6 wherein said remote-manual switching means includes a gate means coupling said control circuit of said remote signal channel selection means to said bi-stable switching means, said gate being in the form of a transistor having an inuput electrode coupled to said control circuit, another input electrode grounded, and an output electrode coupled to said bi-stable switching means.

* k k i 

1. In a signal receiver having a potential source, a varactor tuner, and a remote signal channel selecting means, an electronic channel address system comprising: means coupled to said potential source for remote-manual switching, said means including a switching relay means coupled to a memory circuit; means coupled to said means for remote-manual switching and to said varactor tuner for manual signal channel selection; means coupled to said means for remote-manual switching and said means for manual signal channel selection for remote signal channel selection, said means including control circuitry coupled to a motor means mechanically connected to a rotary switching means and motor drive means coupled to said motor and responsive to said remote signal channel selecting means; and means coupled to said control circuitry and rotary switching means of said means for remote signal channel selection, to said means for manual signal channel selection, and to said means for remote-manual switching for effecting tracking of manual signal channel selection by said means for remote signal channel selection, said tracking means altering said control circuitry and rotary switching means in response to manual signal channel selection to provide alignment of said rotary switching means with said manually selected signal channel and a path for current flow therethrough.
 2. The electronic channel address system of claim 1 wherein said memory circuit of said means for remote-manual switching includes a bi-stable flip-flop circuit switching means coupled to said means for manual signal channel selection, to said control circuitry of said means for remote signal channel selection, and to a switching relay means of said means for remote-manual switching.
 3. The electronic channel address system of claim 2 including a gate means coupled to said control circuit of said means for remote signal channel selection and to said bi-stable switching means to effect activation of said means for remote-manual switching in accordance with signal received from said means for remote signal selection means.
 4. The electronic channel address system of claim 1 wherein said means for tracking manual signal channel selection by said means for remote signal channel selection includes a transistor having one input electrode coupled by a diode to said means for remote-manual switching, another input electrode coupled to said rotary switching means and by a diode to said means for remote-manual switching, and an output electrode coupled by a diode to said control circuit of said means for remote signal channel selection.
 5. An electronic channel address system for a signal receiver having a potential source, varactor tuner, and a remote signal channel selection comprising: remote-manual switching means including a switching relay means selectively coupled to said potential source and to a memory circuit; manual electronic signal channel selection means coupled to said varactor tuner and to said remote-manual switching means, said means including a plurality of parallel coupled signal channel indicating and selecting means; remote signal channel selector means including a control circuit coupled to a motor means mechanically coupled to a rotary switching means coupled to said manual signal channel selector means and said remote-manual switching means and a motor drive means coupled to said motor means and responsive to said remote signal channel selecting means; and tracking means coupled to said manual signal channel selection means, said rotary switching means and control circuit of said remote signal channel selector means, and to said remote-manual switching means, said tracking means responding to said manual signal channel selector means to alter said control circuit and rotary switching means to provide alignment of and a current path through said rotary switching means and said manual signal channel selector means whereby said remote signal channel selector means is altered in accordance with alterations of said manual signal channel selection means.
 6. The electronic channel address system of claim 5 wherein said memory circuit of said remote-manual switching means includes a bi-stable flip-flop switching means coupled to said manual signal channel selection means and said remote signal channel selection means for effecting activation of said remote-manual switching means in accordance with signals from said manual and remote signal channel selection means.
 7. The electronic channel address system of claim 6 wherein said remote-manual switching means includes a gate means coupling said control circuit of said remote signal channel selection means to said bi-stable switching means, said gate being in the form of a transistor having an inuput electrode coupled to said control circuit, another input electrode grounded, and an output electrode coupled to said bi-stable switching means. 